Library Updates

Wondering what to do with the kids this summer that doesn’t break the bank? Go to museums and other cultural institutions, with free and discounted passes thanks to your library card!

Really? Yes!

The libraries in Marin provide all library cardholders with access to an amazing service — Discover & Go, which offers free and discounted passes to local museums, aquariums, science centers, and other cultural institutions. Just pick one of the many museums and other cultural institutions, log in with your library card, and print your pass at home (or access it on your smartphone)!

Get passes to the California Academy of Sciences, Asian Art Museum, Exploratorium, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Madame Tussauds San Francisco, and many more! Log in now and start saving!

The San Rafael Public Library gives cardholders access to Hoopla! You can log into Hoopla with your San Rafael Public Library Card and get access to thousands of streaming movies, television shows, music, and audiobooks! No holds, no waiting!

Paying for Netflix, Spotify, or Audible? Check this service out because it could provide you with what you need–courtesy of your local public library! Just make sure you have a library card! Don’t have one? Sign up online and we’ll mail you your card.

You can also moves seamlessly between different devices – you can listen to or watch something at home and then pick it up later on your smartphone. You can also broadcast Hoopla’s content to Chromecast and Apple TV.

The collection in Hoopla changes from time to time, but here’s a sampling of what’s available to give you a taste of the awesomeness:

Disney movies

Substantial collections from BBC and PBS

Ken Burns specials

Comics from Dark Horse, Vertigo, Marvel, and more

2016 award-winning albums

Digital box sets of music

If you have any questions about using Hoopla, just pop us a chat (using the little chat widget in the lower right of your screen) or email us at library@cityofsanrafael.org.

Evaluating our information sources and being more conscious of where we get our news is a topic on many people’s minds these days. Regardless of one’s political leanings, we all want to know that the news we get is accurate, well-researched, and as unbiased as possible. The San Rafael Public Library’s youth services staff has created a guide for parents and caregivers to teach children and teens about information literacy, internet safety, and how to spot fake news. We have a feeling adults will find it useful as well!

The City Council is seeking applications to fill five positions on the newly created Measure D Special Library Parcel Tax Committee. This Committee will meet at least twice annually and will act as an independent citizens’ oversight committee to ensure the Library spends the funds from the parcel tax in a manner consistent with the language of the ballot measure approving the tax. Applications are now available online at and at the City Clerk’s office.

Friday, June 9 – Saturday, August 5

This year we have one All Ages Online Program for everyone in the family from babies to adults!

All Ages Online Program

Families will register together under one account. Each reader in the family will create their own reader profile!

Readers will set a daily goal for themselves. We recommend reading at least 20 minutes a day, but everyone is different! Little ones who are not yet reading independently can share a book with a grown-up or older child.

Every day you meet your reading goal, you will earn 1 point! Collect points to earn fun prizes from the Library! You can also earn special online badges by completing fun activities. These badges aren’t worth points, but they will really make your reader profile pop!

All Ages Paper Program

We have a paper option available for readers who would rather not participate in the online program!

Another option this summer is Bookshelf Bingo for Adults and Teens

Read Books, Win Prizes! Pick up our Bingo Card or print one after June 9th here.

We are celebrating 130 years of public library service here in beautiful San Rafael! In June of 1887 the Women’s Christian Temperance Union established a coffee and read­ing room in the town of San Rafael. The Marin Journal of June 2, 1887, announced, “The Coffee Room and Free Library is now open.” We are proud to continue the tradition of public library service to our neighbors today!

Join us for a family-friendly event on Saturday, June 3rd to celebrate this special anniversary!

Library card holders can use remote passes to view NYTimes.com/NYTimes app from home or from a device. Passes give you unlimited access for a 24 hour period and you can use them as many times as you like!

You’ll be taken to a screen with the heading “A special offer from The New York Times” with a code already filled into the form – click the “Redeem” button and you’ll be taken to a screen to create a NYTimes.com account.

Step 2: Login or Create an Account

In order to use your code, you’ll need to associate it with a NYTimes.com account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create one. Sign up with your email or through your existing Facebook or Twitter accounts. You might already have a NYTimes.com account, in which case you should click the “Log in here” link instead. If you’ve forgotten your password you can follow the prompts to have it sent to you again.

Step 3: Use your pass

Once you’ve either logged in with a current account or created an account, you’ll be taken to a SUCCESS page which tells you your pass is active.

Your pass will work on any computer where you log in to your NYTimes.com account, so you can use it on your iPad, work computer, laptop, wherever.

If you have the New York Times app, or want to download it, you’ll also have unlimited 24 hour access there as well once you’ve logged into the app with your NYTimes.com account. You’ll also get a confirmation email sent to whichever email account you used to sign up with NYTimes.com. It will tell you when your pass was activated and when it will expire.

The San Rafael Public Library is looking for middle school and high school volunteers to help out with our Summer Reading Challenge this summer! If you’re a teen or tween who will have completed 6th grade by June, loves working with kids, and wants to give back to your community, you may just be the Katniss to our Peeta.

BookFlix is an amazing online tool, and best for the very youngest of readers (and pre-readers) in your family. It’s one of the Library’s most popular online resources. Ideal for grades Pre-K through third, this resource features children’s picture books read aloud in video form paired with related nonfiction read alouds. Free to access from the library website with your library card! To access, just go to https://srpubliclibrary.org/kids/digital-resources/

The libraries in Marin provide all library cardholders with access to an amazing service — Discover & Go, which offers free and discounted passes to local museums, aquariums, science centers, and other cultural institutions. Just pick one of the many museums and other cultural institutions, log in with your library card, and print your pass at home (or access it on your smartphone)!

Get passes to the California Academy of Sciences, Asian Art Museum, Exploratorium, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Madame Tussauds San Francisco, and many more! Log in now and start saving!